Las Vegas High-Net-Worth Divorce Lawyer

What Makes a High-Net-Worth Divorce Different

Standard divorce proceedings rarely account for the complexity that comes with significant wealth. High-asset divorces typically involve:

• Business valuations— determining the true worth of a closely held company, professional practice, or partnership interest
• Separate vs. community property disputes— Nevada is a community property state, and tracing which assets were acquired before marriage, inherited, or commingled requires forensic accounting
• Multiple real estate holdings— primary residences, vacation properties, and investment properties, often across state lines
• Executive compensation— stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), bonuses, and deferred compensation that vest over time
• Retirement and investment accounts— 401(k)s, pensions, IRAs, brokerage accounts, and trusts
• Hidden or undisclosed assets— cases where one spouse may attempt to conceal income or property
• Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements— enforceability and interpretation of existing agreements
• Tax consequences— structuring settlements to minimize capital gains and other tax exposure

Nevada Community Property Law and Complex Assets

Nevada divides marital property under community property principles, meaning most assets acquired during the marriage are presumed to belong equally to both spouses. In high-asset cases, the challenge isn’t just splitting property — it’s correctly identifying and valuing it first. Business interests acquired or grown during the marriage, appreciation on separate property, and commingled accounts all require careful legal and financial analysis before any division can happen fairly.

Business Valuation in Divorce

If you or your spouse owns a business, professional practice, or interest in a partnership, that asset must be valued as part of the divorce. Cohen Fic & Squires works with forensic accountants and business valuation experts to determine fair market value, assess whether the business is separate or community property, and negotiate solutions — such as buyouts or structured payments — that let a business keep operating without being forced into a fire sale.

Uncovering Hidden Assets

In some high-net-worth cases, a spouse may attempt to underreport income, delay bonuses, transfer assets to third parties, or obscure ownership through business entities. Cohen Fic & Squires uses subpoenas, forensic accounting, and discovery tools to trace assets and ensure a full and accurate financial picture before settlement or trial.

Protecting Your Interests With a Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreement

If you have a premarital or postmarital agreement, its terms will heavily influence how your divorce proceeds. Cohen Fic & Squires reviews these agreements for enforceability, ensures they were properly executed under Nevada law, and litigates disputes over their interpretation when necessary.

Why Choose Cohen Fic & Squires for Your High-Asset Divorce

• Deep experience with complex property division and business valuation cases
• Established relationships with forensic accountants, appraisers, and financial experts
• Discreet, confidential handling of sensitive financial and personal matters
• Strategic negotiation aimed at avoiding unnecessary litigation costs — with the trial experience to fight when needed
• A track record representing executives, physicians, entrepreneurs, and business owners across the Las Vegas valley

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a business divided in a Nevada divorce?

Nevada treats a business built or grown during the marriage as community property, which means it must first be valued by a financial expert before it can be divided. From there, the most common outcomes are one spouse buying out the other’s interest over time, selling the business and splitting the proceeds, or offsetting its value against other marital assets so the business stays intact.

Is my inheritance protected in a Nevada divorce?

Inheritances are generally treated as separate property in Nevada, even when received during the marriage, and are not subject to division. That protection can be lost, however, if inherited funds are deposited into a joint account, used to pay shared expenses, or otherwise mixed with community assets, so keeping inherited property separate matters.

What happens to stock options and RSUs in a divorce?

Stock options and restricted stock units earned during the marriage are typically treated as community property, at least in part, even if they have not yet vested. Dividing them usually depends on the vesting schedule and whether the grant date falls before, during, or after the marriage.

Can I keep the family business after my divorce?

In many cases, yes. A buyout structure lets one spouse retain full ownership and control of the business while the other spouse receives other marital assets or a structured payment plan equal to their share of its value.

Do I need a forensic accountant for a high-net-worth divorce?

When a marriage includes business interests, significant investment accounts, or concerns that a spouse is underreporting income or hiding assets, a forensic accountant is often essential to trace funds and establish an accurate picture of the marital estate.

How long does a high-net-worth divorce take in Las Vegas?

High-asset cases generally take longer than a standard divorce because of business valuations, financial discovery, and expert involvement. Depending on complexity and whether the case settles or proceeds to trial, these cases often run from several months to over a year.

Does a prenuptial agreement control the outcome of a high-asset divorce?

A valid, properly executed prenuptial or postnuptial agreement generally governs how premarital and certain other assets are divided, provided it meets Nevada’s requirements for enforceability. Cohen Fic & Squires reviews existing agreements early in the case to determine how they affect your specific situation.